SINCLAIR
Ina Ethel
1918 - 2008
Ina Sinclair quietly passed away Saturday, May 31 at the age of 89. She was born in Taber, AB; then in 1939, she moved to Bevan. Later, in 1955 the family settled in Cumberland, where Ina spent the last 53 years.
She is predeceased by her husband John (Jan. 31, 1993) and son Tom (Mar. 15, 2008). She is survived by her daughter Rosalie (Tom Forrest of Courtenay, and sons Bernard (Rone) of Victoria and Charles (Linda) of Courtenay.
She will be fondly remembered as Nana to her grandchildren: Angie, John, Jillian, Jennifer, Rosanne, Graham, Tyler, Courtney and 9 great-grandchildren.
Despite the many challenges of raising a family of four in a small coal mining town (Bevan), Ina found pleasure in being involved in a variety of community activities such as the P.T.A., women's softball team, Xmas concerts, and training her offspring for the Miner's Day or 24th of May Sports Days.
Being raised on a prairie farm, Ina was no stranger to hard work and in 1953 started her own working career. In the early 60's, Ina upgraded her secretarial skills and took the civil service exam to qualify for a position with the Post Office in Courtenay, where she remained until she retired in 1982.
Ina was actively involved in the Pythian Sisters, Rebekah Lodge, and the O.A.P.
She was always a willing helper with catering, and other fundraising activities, especially those related to the Child Development Centre in Cumberland. She was very willing to be in charge and "worked her fingers to the bone".
In her retirement years, she and John often traveled in "Trilly" to visit family and friends from Kitimat, to the Prairies, to Oregon and Victoria.
A graveside service will be held at the Cumberland Cemetery on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 12 pm. Family and friends are invited to a 1 pm. Tea at the Cumberland O.A.P. Hall.